Funny People

[Watashi]

Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFRVFuls4Sc)

Looks like Apatow has toned down his traditional gross out humor. Jonah Hill actually looks tolerable in this film.

Knocked Up was one of my favs from 2007, so I can't wait.

[megladon8]

From KF's write-up on Let the Right One In
First, can we please ban filmmakers from using a solved Rubix Cube as a way to show that a child/person is special? Man I can't stand that.


Can we also ban filmmakers from the "musical number as emotional release" gimmick?

[Watashi]

Can we also ban filmmakers from the "musical number as emotional release" gimmick?
Um... it's only a trailer. Trailers and musical cues go together like peanut butter and jelly.

[megladon8]

Um... it's only a trailer. Trailers and musical cues go together like peanut butter and jelly.


The scene where Adam Sandler is singing and playing guitar.

Looked bad.

[Ezee E]

Eek. I thought it was more about the maliciousness of what goes on in stand-up comedy.

Not... This.

I'll still see it, but my expectations are lowered.

"THat's like a scene from Deer Hunter" is the best line

[Sycophant]

Can we also ban filmmakers from the "musical number as emotional release" gimmick?

Weird place to pick this battle.

I'll watch this movie.

[Kurosawa Fan]

A couple of funny parts in that trailer. But honestly, I don't like anyone in that cast aside from Jason Schwartzman, and Jonah Hill and Seth Rogan will probably keep me away.

[Watashi]

Not an Eric Bana fan, KF?

[Sycophant]

In about 18 months, I'm gonna run into Seth Rogen and be all like, "You know how everyone hates you now? I still like you."

And he will be grateful and give me a hug.

[Ezee E]

In about 18 months, I'm gonna run into Seth Rogen and be all like, "You know how everyone hates you now? I still like you."

And he will be grateful and give me a hug.
Observe & Report looks great. It'll still be a while for him I think.

[Sycophant]

Observe & Report looks great. It'll still be a while for him I think.

Oh, man. How did I not know about that till like four minutes ago? That looks pretty good.

EDIT: ANSWER: Apparently by ignoring the UFE a couple weeks ago.

[Watashi]

I will always admire Seth Rogen for his constant support on voice acting and animation.

[transmogrifier]

Seth Rogan is all good. Anyone who is turned off a film specifically because of him is too sensitive by half.

[Boner M]

I like Jonah Hill more than Seth Rogen.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Not an Eric Bana fan, KF?

Not really. I don't dislike him, but he's never given a memorable performance (though I haven't seen Chopper).

[Kurosawa Fan]

And as for Rogan, his character is boring. And it's the same character every time out. It's just boring. I'm not offended by him, nor annoyed, just bored.

[Ezee E]

Not really. I don't dislike him, but he's never given a memorable performance (though I haven't seen Chopper).
The only role I've really liked him in as well. Munich is good, but he's pretty lifeless through it all.

[megladon8]

Eric Bana's fantastic.

Chopper was obviously great, but man, his performance as Bruce Banner is majorly overlooked. Hell, that whole movie is under-appreciated.

I also loved Munich. I'd even go so far as to say it's one of Spielberg's best.

And I really wish The Time Traveller's Wife would come out. All these delays are seriously worrying me. The book was wonderful, and I honestly don't see how the movie could be anything other than a complete mess, but I'm still curious, and I think the casting is spot-on.

[Kurosawa Fan]

And I really wish The Time Traveller's Wife would come out. All these delays are seriously worrying me. The book was wonderful, and I honestly don't see how the movie could be anything other than a complete mess, but I'm still curious, and I think the casting is spot-on.

As soon as I found out it was PG-13 I no longer had much interest. It's an adult book with some very adult themes, and to trim it down so that teenage girls can come watch Bana and McAdams fall in love is pretty worthless.

[megladon8]

As soon as I found out it was PG-13 I no longer had much interest. It's an adult book with some very adult themes, and to trim it down so that teenage girls can come watch Bana and McAdams fall in love is pretty worthless.


I had no idea it was turned into a PG-13 flick. That's really disheartening...

Oh well, at least I still have the wonderful book. I might re-read it this year. I really did love it a lot. One of the best romances I've read (though it's not liked I'm thoroughly experienced in the genre or anything...)

[[ETM]]

I really liked Bana's work in Black Hawk Down, too.

[number8]

This (http://www.laughyourdickoff.com/) viral site is amazing. Azis really nailed the Dane Cook parody.

[eternity]

This (http://www.laughyourdickoff.com/) viral site is amazing. Azis really nailed the Dane Cook parody.

Except his CVS joke is grand.

[Henry Gale]

Aziz's description of RAAANDY being "if Soulja Boy did stand-up comedy" was perfect.

They've done such an amazing job with all of these sites for the movie. The ones for Yo Teach...! (http://www.nbc.com/yo-teach/) and Sandler's George Simmons character (http://www.george-simmons.com/) are definitely worth checking out. For the second link, the amount of work that they seem to have put into the fake clips and posters is astounding.

[Ezee E]

Don't see the connection between Aziz and Dane in those bits. Was I missing something?

[number8]

The obnoxious emphasizing of punchlines, the hyperactive movements to get laughs, the desperate macho-sex affirmations masking itself as comedy. Plus the shallowness of the jokes. I find it very similar to Dane Cook's terrible act.

It is kinda like that Tourgasm crew meets Soulja Boy.

[Ezee E]

The obnoxious emphasizing of punchlines, the hyperactive movements to get laughs, the desperate macho-sex affirmations masking itself as comedy. Plus the shallowness of the jokes. I find it very similar to Dane Cook's terrible act.

It is kinda like that Tourgasm crew meets Soulja Boy.
I guess I just see a lot of comedians do that.

[Ezee E]

I guess I just see a lot of comedians do that.
With that, the Darfur page on his site is hilarious.

[Ezee E]

Bwah? Did you guys know that Janusz Kaminski is shooting this?

[MadMan]

The recent trailers I've seen for this all indicate it will be a good movie, and I really like the overall cast as well. I have this feeling that the dramatic elements will be stronger and better fleshed out than the comedic ones.

[Amnesiac]

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to this.

[Sycophant]

The trailer leads me to believe this movie will be unevenly paced, which--while I've liked Apatow's films so far--would not exactly be out of character. Hoping it's good, though I keep forgetting that this movie has actually been, like, shot and stuff.

[Henry Gale]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PsldfwCBOY) just-released promo interview/trailer thing definitely shows more of the type of film I really want this to be. I think the parts focusing on the relationships (something that only Apatow and gang seem to get right with this sort of comedy) will be what takes control of the film by the end and hopefully will be its greatest strength.

And even though they still show the same jokes they have in every commercial, I'm confident that just means the rest of the humour is better than standalone lines or just not very TV-friendly instead of it being all that's funny in it. Very much looking forward to this.

[Spun Lepton]

The subject seems a little self-indulgent to me, but we'll see.

[Ezee E]

Wonder how much stand-up there'll be in it all. I'm hoping for a lot actually.

[trotchky]

I think this movie will be really good.

[number8]

That went in a completely different direction than I thought it would, but I liked it a lot. I doubt many others will.

[Dukefrukem]

Can I ask what looks funny about this movie? What was the last funny movie Sandler did? Happy Gilmore?

[EyesWideOpen]

Can I ask what looks funny about this movie? What was the last funny movie Sandler did? Happy Gilmore?

You Don't Mess With the Zohan? That was a funnier film then Happy Gilmore.

[Dukefrukem]

You Don't Mess With the Zohan? That was a funnier film then Happy Gilmore.

Okay that movie WAS funny, but I'd def watch HG and BM over it. I'm not trying to knock Adam, but this trailer looks so bland for a comedy. Maybe its because it takes itself so seriously? I'll be looking forward to peoples thoughts.

[EyesWideOpen]

Okay that movie WAS funny, but I'd def watch HG and BM over it. I'm not trying to knock Adam, but this trailer looks so bland for a comedy. Maybe its because it takes itself so seriously? I'll be looking forward to peoples thoughts.

Having read articles about the movie and interviews with Sandler & Apatow I'm pretty sure that's the point. It's supposed to be just as much a serious movie as a comedy. I've enjoyed Sandler's "dramedy" roles more than any of his straight comedy roles so I'm all for it.

[Sven]

Egads. 146 minutes? No thanks.

[Sycophant]

Ugh. Makes me think twice. And I like Apatow.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Egads. 146 minutes? No thanks.

Yikes. DVD for me.

[Dukefrukem]

Egads. 146 minutes? No thanks.

Same here. :frustrated:

[megladon8]

No comedy ever has to be that long.

Ever.

[Sycophant]

Yikes. DVD for me.

Actually, this means I pretty much have to catch it in theaters, else I'll never watch it, as my six-year-old, virgin copy of The Hidden Fortress can attest.

[Sven]

Actually, this means I pretty much have to catch it in theaters, else I'll never watch it, as my six-year-old, virgin copy of The Hidden Fortress can attest.

:eek:

Watch. Now!

Or when you get home.

Or this weekend.

Or whenever.

Still... :eek:

[Sycophant]

I know, but it's... 139 minutes long. I can't remember the last time I watched a movie that long at home.

...I'll try to watch it next weekend.

[EyesWideOpen]

No comedy ever has to be that long.

Ever.

Not to sound snarky but who are you to say how long a comedy can be?

[number8]

It's not a comedy.

It's a drama about miserable comedians. It's really not funny at all. Sandler is in his Punch-Drunk Love mode here.

[Sven]

Sandler is in his Punch-Drunk Love mode here.

Judging from the premise + trailers, I highly doubt that. But, you've seen it and I have not, so...

[number8]

Judging from the premise + trailers, I highly doubt that. But, you've seen it and I have not, so...

I didn't mean he's as good. Just that he's very subdued. The movie takes every opportunity to turn his usual shtick upside down (like, he gets angry but instead of beating up someone he gets beat up). And every time he does his trademark baby talk, funny voices or singing funny songs, it's portrayed as incredibly sad and pathetic, like it's the only way he knows how to get a laugh out of people anymore.

[D_Davis]

This movie is looking and sounding better all the time.

[megladon8]

Not to sound snarky but who are you to say how long a comedy can be?


You sound snarky.

[Pop Trash]

You sound snarky.

No, you snark up! Snarkhead

[Dead & Messed Up]

http://it-is-law.com/dump/snarf.jpg

Snark snarf!

[Sycophant]

Of course he sounds snarky. That's what saying "Not to sound/not that I'm ___[adj]___ or anything" does.

[megladon8]

Of course he sounds snarky. That's what saying "Not to sound/not that I'm ___[adj]___ or anything" does.


Thanks for clarifying.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Of course he sounds snarky. That's what saying "Not to sound/not that I'm ___[adj]___ or anything" does.

It's kind of like the "no offense" safety. E. g. "No offense, but you're the biggest bag of douche I've ever met."

[megladon8]

It's kind of like the "no offense" safety. E. g. "No offense, but you're the biggest bag of douche I've ever met."


DaMU, not to sound racist, but you're a total cracker.

[number8]

It's kind of like the "no offense" safety. E. g. "No offense, but you're the biggest bag of douche I've ever met."

I prefer "With all due respect." It's always fun to say, "With all due respect, you are an idiot and you don't know what the fuck you're talking about, you cunt."

[number8]

You know what I like about Apatow movies? Since most of the jokes are improvised, they have a gazillion one-liners to use in the ads that aren't used in the actual movie.

Half of the things I hear Seth Rogen say in the previews ("My face is circumcised", "I'm really good at Guitar Hero...") aren't even in the movie.

[eternity]

Zach thinks that Funny People kind of suffers a 2 1/2nd act problem, as it seems like two different movies were slammed together, but while it makes it drag in enjoyability towards the end, becoming a bit tedious, it adds a whole lot to the film. Incredibly funny, flowed great for the first two hours, and while I "get" that it was too long and they could have cut an entire subplot to make a perfectly paced, great comedy, but the whole thing that "brings it down" also adds a whole lot more and as a whole sum of its parts, makes it more compelling. Apatow has really grown as a filmmaker, and this is a whole ton better than Knocked Up.

It's kind of like The Wrestler in a number of ways, both the obvious ones (a deconstruction of a comedian who's falling apart and is a good? but very flawed human being) and the ones that are spoilerific and I won't share.

But yeah, good stuff. Good stuff.

[B-side]

My sloppy review. (http://thebrightsideoftheempire.wordp ress.com/2009/08/01/funny-people-apatow-2009/)

[Ezee E]

Acapelli basically says everything right here. I highly enjoyed this one. I'm a big fan of Punchdrunk Love, but Adam Sandler gives his best performance here. Seth Rogen, do not cry again in movies.

This is something I could've easily seen Bergman directing.

[Sycophant]

Gotta watch this ASAP. Word has it there's a Paul Reiser cameo!

[Ezee E]

Gotta watch this ASAP. Word has it there's a Paul Reiser cameo!
Took me a second to recognize it myself.

[Ezee E]

One thing I wish the movie had was more RAAAAANDY. I think if his rise was shown like it was on his website, it would've had some hilarious stuff.

[Derek]

Sandler is good, real good, but performances have never been a problem for Apatow, so the looseness which his actors exude is certainly the films one great charm. There's a good deal of funny improv and most of the stand-up bits were amusing, but as a film, it's all over the place - a sprawling comedy with little sense of rhythm or pacing (146 minutes...really Judd?) so a number of scenes drag on, leaving characters sitting on the sideline so Apatow can mine every bit of drama out of a relatively simple premise. It's not the length itself that bothers me, but that a good tightening up of the script or even a few scenes could've done wonders so the excessive length seems to be a result of either laziness or egotism. Like Knocked Up, the wheels slowly start to fall off this one once it hits the halfway point.

[Fezzik]

I could have sworn I posted on this thread earlier...where did my post go?

[Raiders]

Sandler is good, real good, but performances have never been a problem for Apatow, so the looseness which his actors exude is certainly the films one great charm. There's a good deal of funny improv and most of the stand-up bits were amusing, but as a film, it's all over the place - a sprawling comedy with little sense of rhythm or pacing (146 minutes...really Judd?) so a number of scenes drag on, leaving characters sitting on the sideline so Apatow can mine every bit of drama out of a relatively simple premise. It's not the length itself that bothers me, but that a good tightening up of the script or even a few scenes could've done wonders so the excessive length seems to be a result of either laziness or egotism. Like Knocked Up, the wheels slowly start to fall off this one once it hits the halfway point.

Yeah, I agree with this almost to a tee. I have seen it mentioned elsewhere, but the mid-film doctor's visit really is the dividing line where the film started to go away from the dark comedy subverting Sandler's typical persona to a more melodramatic film that just kind of keeps going. I also found Leslie Mann's character a clear display of Apatow's complete inability (or is it complete lack of desire?) to write a well-rounded, interesting female character.

[trotchky]

aubrey plaza is really hot

[eternity]

aubrey plaza is really hot
Like a dweeby Mary Elizabeth Winstead. I swoon.

[Watashi]

Like a dweeby Mary Elizabeth Winstead. I swoon.
DaMu could have had that, but noooooo.

[Izzy Black]

It's pretty lame.

[Ezee E]

It's pretty lame.
Short and sweet. I like that Israfel.

[Melville]

Short and sweet. I like that Israfel.
I prefer the long-winded one.

[Amnesiac]

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww46/Amnesiac7/funnypeople.jpg

I actually ended up really enjoying this, despite the fact that, looking back, there's probably a lot of fat that could have been cut off. I haven't quite caught up with the general consensus, but I believe that most think that the film starts to plummet once Sandler and Mann attempt to rekindle an old and impossible flame. Personally, this is where I found the movie to be the most interesting, authentic and heartbreaking. I guess Mann isn't really given much of a well-rounded character in Laura but she carries what she is given rather well. She has this certain type of cheerful wistfulness that I found unaffected and tragic. When she confesses that she fell out of the arms of one cheater and into another, I couldn't help but feel like it was a near masterstroke in dialogue and delivery. I know that may sound a touch extreme, but the scene just seemed to click for me... her confession ended up tugging on my heart strings. Depending on whether you liked the film or not, you might think this is the result of some great delivery and writing or just assume that I've been hopelessly manipulated. But, really, the context of that scene (and all of Mann and Sandler's interactions) was quite great. You have Sandler's morose vulnerability and her naive, cheery despondency. Not a false note between them, I thought. Something about their exchanges carried a sense of gravity and believability that I think should be applauded. I couldn't help but become attached to their impossible romance (and that includes their tryst at Laura's house, which I found to be an ecstatic and well-handled scene). In other words, Sandler and Mann do a great job.

The skirmish between Bana, Rogen and Sandler was also kind of moving in a seriocomic kind of way. When Sandler, in exasperation, declares that he is "going to live forever! I'm never going to die!" ... well, it was such an oddly hilarious yet genuine thing to say. And while this may point toward the fervent absurdity of the scene, this is ultimately tempered by an undercurrent of childish desperation and heartache that elevates some of the best parts of the film. Thus, as absurd a scene as that little fight was, it never quite plummets into pure comic relief or annoying absurdity (on a tangential note: even Bana, who plays a simplistic and one dimensional shmuck, is given a shred of humanity at the airport). Sandler, Rogen and Mann are definitely the centerpieces of this film, talent wise, and they imbue silly scenes like this with an interesting and understandable mix of infantile longing and exasperation (they also handle the bittersweet maturity of the film's final scenes really well, wherein unrealistic whims and desires make way for somber epiphanies and doleful pragmatism).

And, yes, the fact that a major, driving plot-point is suddenly dropped halfway through the film is a little curious... but the parts of the film that follow that reveal ended up being really well-acted, charming and pitiable.

As a final note, Seth Rogen is great and functions well as a more marginal character. I'm not quite convinced he showcased anything remarkable here that's markedly different from any of his other roles but he's certainly good at what he does. He's pretty much perfect here but does this role really demand all that much from him? Either way, it's a well-played and important role insofar as, without his character, George really wouldn't have gotten anywhere.

[Mal]

I hated everything about this movie except Seth Rogen's role/performance.

[Watashi]

I hated everything about this movie except Seth Rogen's role/performance.
Pretty much.

[number8]

I liked Rogen's role better when it was played by Patrick Fugit.

[BuffaloWilder]

http://www.hamaraphotos.com/hollywood/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/seth-rogen-katherine-heigl-in-knocked-up.jpg

Match-Cut gargles my balls.

[Spun Lepton]

http://www.hamaraphotos.com/hollywood/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/seth-rogen-katherine-heigl-in-knocked-up.jpg

Match-Cut gargles my balls.

Yes, I've heard Heigl's are quite hairy.

[B-side]

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww46/Amnesiac7/funnypeople.jpg

I actually ended up really enjoying this. Looking back, there's probably a lot of fat that could have been cut off. I haven't quite caught up with the general consensus, but I believe that most think that the film starts to plummet once Sandler and Mann attempt to rekindle an old and impossible flame. Personally, this is where I found the movie to be the most interesting, authentic and heartbreaking. I guess Mann isn't really given much of a well-rounded character in Laura but she carries what she is given rather well. She has this certain type of cheerful wistfulness that I found unaffected and tragic. When she confesses that she fell out of the arms of one cheater and into another, I couldn't help but feel like it was a near masterstroke in dialogue and delivery. I know that may sound a touch extreme, but the scene just seemed to click for me... her confession ended up tugging on my heart strings. Depending on whether you liked the film or not, you might think this is the result of some great delivery and writing or just assume that I've been hopelessly manipulated. But, really, the context of that scene (and all of Mann and Sandler's interactions) was quite great. You have Sandler's morose vulnerability and her naive, cheery despondency. Not a false note between them, I thought. Something about their exchanges carried a sense of gravity and believability that I think should be applauded. I couldn't help but become attached to the their impossible romance (and that includes their tryst at Laura's house, which I found to be an ecstatic and well-handled scene). In other words, Sandler and Mann do a great job.

The skirmish between Bana, Rogen and Sandler was also kind of moving in a seriocomic kind of way. When Sandler, in exasperation, declares that he is "going to live forever! I'm never going to die!" ... well, it was such an oddly hilarious yet genuine thing to say. And while this may point toward the fervent absurdity of the scene, this is ultimately tempered by an undercurrent of childish desperation and heartache the best part of the film. Thus, as absurd a scene as that little fight was, it never quite plummets into pure comic relief or annoying absurdity (on a tangential note: even Bana, who plays a simplistic and one dimensional shmuck, is given a shred of humanity at the airport).

Yes.

[Watashi]

I noticed that Rogen was wearing one of those cinephile director shirts in the movie. I think it was the Scorsese one.

[Amnesiac]

I noticed that Rogen was wearing one of those cinephile director shirts in the movie. I think it was the Scorsese one.

I noticed that, too. When Joss Whedon had a brief spot in a Jimmy Fallon sketch last week, he was wearing a Bergman one. I still stand by my belief that I would feel really pretentious wearing any one of those shirts.

[BuffaloWilder]

Why? They're so tasteful.

[Amnesiac]

Why? They're so tasteful.

:P

[Ezee E]

I noticed that Rogen was wearing one of those cinephile director shirts in the movie. I think it was the Scorsese one.
It was. I was going to post it, but thought it was already done. Turned out it was the Whedon one with the Bergman shirt.

[baby doll]

It pretty much made me want to kill myself.

[Sven]

...so if you're one of those idiots who needs to feel good...

Edit: I made a very harsh comment in the heat of being flustered by your above comment, but I wish to retract it. Instead, I will simply ask: why do you feel you need to say things like the quoted sentiment?

[Sycophant]

Gonna jump in and say that's a direct quote from Whatever Works's opening minutes.

[Sven]

Gonna jump in and say that's a direct quote from Whatever Works's opening minutes.

Good call. Still, does it not seem like the kind of thing that our baby doll would maybe utter? Or perhaps that's more up Pop Trash's alley. Hmm...

[baby doll]

Good call. Still, does it not seem like the kind of thing that our baby doll would maybe utter? Or perhaps that's more up Pop Trash's alley. Hmm...As Syco said, I was quoting Whatever Works, which claims not to be a feel good movie at the very beginning, but then turns out to be exactly that.

[Pop Trash]

Good call. Still, does it not seem like the kind of thing that our baby doll would maybe utter? Or perhaps that's more up Pop Trash's alley. Hmm...

Say wha? Say wha?

[MacGuffin]

Say wha? Say wha?

Well, you do seem to have an unhealthy aversion to Dogville.

[Pop Trash]

Well, you do seem to have an unhealthy aversion to Dogville.
Of course I do. It's a bad movie.

[MacGuffin]

Of course I do. It's a bad movie.

Maybe in Bizarro Land.

[Pop Trash]

Maybe in Bizarro Land.
Eh...I call we keep it on topic.

[Sycophant]

Judd Apatow's biggest liability as a screenwriter/director, as I see it, is that he just can't really structure a movie all that well. Somehow, though, this typically fatal flaw doesn't kill his movies for me. There's something terribly organic about his films, and despite being even more structurally a mess than his previous efforts, the moment-to-moment energy in the actors and the pace within its scenes keeps the film afloat and I found plenty about the film endearing. It may actually be my favorite of Apatow's three films.

Sandler was on. Rogen doesn't do anything terribly novel, but what he does may very well keep working for him for a very long time, as I do think he's maturing as a performer, however subtly. Mann may not have had all the well-rounded a character, but she gave it a lot of life. And it was pretty satisfying seeing a lot of the funny people who can't stop popping up every few scenes.

Also, Yo Teach...! is amazing. Its website on NBC.com is great.

[number8]

Have you guys checked out the RAAAAAAAAANDY documentary?

[Ezee E]

Have you guys checked out the RAAAAAAAAANDY documentary?
I have. After seeing it, I wish that character was used more in the film. The DJ and his schtick would've led to some good reactions from Rogen/Sandler.

[origami_mustache]

The Raaaaaandy documentary is eleventy billion times better than this movie could ever hope to be.

[Pop Trash]

This movie has some major problems. It's far too long. The last act sags more than the pants of a teenage boy at your local mall. It has odd changes in tone. In yet...in yet...there's some real there there. I found myself thinking about it quite a bit since I watched it. More than I expected. When I walked out of theater I was thinking eh...6/10 but I'm thinking now it's at least a 7/10.

Sandler has a lot of nerve to even accept a roll in which he is essentially playing an alternate universe version of himself, or at least I hope for his sake he is not nearly as much of an asshole as this guy. The movie basically deconstructs his career and says back to him "hey Sandler, a lot of the movies you made were total crap." And between this and Observe and Report, Roegan is really growing as an actor. It's curious that the most likeable character he has played and the most unlikeable happened back to back. Also, for a movie that gets quite dark and cynical, it's often quite funny.

The film often reminded me of Bergman, Cassavetes, and another overlong, self-indulgent, tone switching, deeply personal, terminal disease oriented film: Magnolia.

I have a feeling that this will be initially one of Apatow's most unliked films, but in the ensuing years, when (or if) critics look back on his career, this will be the film many will get the most defensive of.

[Ezee E]

The last hour has me really looking down on the movie the more I think about it. But that first hour and a half is just so great. Sucks that had to happen.

[Ivan Drago]

The film often reminded me of Bergman, Cassavetes, and another overlong, self-indulgent, tone switching, deeply personal, terminal disease oriented film: Magnolia.

Yup, I'm probably going to love this.

[baby doll]

The film often reminded me of Bergman, Cassavetes, and another overlong, self-indulgent, tone switching, deeply personal, terminal disease oriented film: Magnolia.It made me think more of Auto Focus, except not as funny or fun.

[Pop Trash]

It made me think more of Auto Focus, except not as funny or fun.

I really liked Auto Focus, but I definitely don't remember laughing that much when I watched it.

[baby doll]

I really liked Auto Focus, but I definitely don't remember laughing that much when I watched it.Well, I don't remember laughing that much at Funny People, except the Holocaust joke. "I thought Jews didn't like being on lists." As for Auto Focus, there is this current of black comedy running through it. "Go balls deep, pop!"

And speaking of Jew jokes...

"I thought you were a fellow entertainer."
"I'm also a Jew."
"It's the same thing!"

[Ezee E]

Yeah, definitley no jokes in Auto Focus.

[baby doll]

Yeah, definitley no jokes in Auto Focus.It's a black comedy definitely, but comedy nonetheless. How 'bout that scene where Greg Kinnear catches Willem Dafoe putting a hand on his ass? Paul Schrader's a funny, funny guy.

[dreamdead]

This one ends up being mediocre with some occasional glimpses of pathos and progress from Apatow. Certainly the first hour and the confrontation of death works, but like others note, it's tries to redeem Sandler's character too much after the healing. And there's the awkward sense that women are too often a comfort and a salve to men, but aren't allowed their own agency as here they get the chance to sleep with a man, reject that decision, and return to their lives without any real consequence or individualism. It's an odd decision, and one that could only work if we'd seen more of Daisy's comedy routine and grasped a better sense of who she is and why she returns to Ira. Lacking that, she seems like a floundering female, much like Mann's Laura, and that's the crucial flaw to the film. And perhaps all the characters are floundering without a true (b)romantic connection, but it's the women that seem to emphasize this trait the most, and lack the most internal psychology.

Otherwise, it's a little dangerous (and false) for Apatow to suggest that only those who get away from Hollywood can achieve a family life (see Mann, and Simmons' sister/parents for the only glimpses of generational communication, however complicated). And the continual glorification of Apatow's kids rings false to me; and rather than having a feeling of genuine connection, they just seem a little too much like narrative crutches.

Yet Sandler's initial character arc, and what little we have of Ira/Daisy, would have made for an excellent vehicle. It's the drop-off of the latter narrative and the heightening of the former one that hurts the film.